ITF Collaborates With FUO On Training

3 min

The Yenagoa Area Office of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Management of Federal University Otuoke collaborated to organize a one day Orientation programme for prospective Industrial Training Students of the Institution.
The event tagged Pre – Industrial Training Program for 2017/2018 batch was designed to educate and prepare SIWES participants on issues, expectations and challenges of the exercise.

In his address the Vice Chancellor FUO, Prof Seth Accra Jaja represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Teddy Adias welcomed the ITF Officials to the University, he thanked them for their efforts in organizing the training and urged the students present to participate actively so that the exercise will be hitch free and rewarding.

The orientation exercise witnessed a lecture presented by the Head of Training and representative of ITF Area Manager at the occasion, Mr. Otuene Egbirien on the General Overview of SIWES program and Guidelines for students on Industrial Training.

In his Lecture Mr. Otuene Egbirien gave a brief history of ITF, tracing it to Federal Government enactment in 1974 , with the major aim of bridging the gap between classroom theory and on the field experience for students. He stated that SIWES is designed to avail University undergraduates a 6 months training, while Polytechnics and Colleges of Education will be trained for 4 months, with emphasis on the approved courses: Engineering, Technology and Environmental Sciences.

Mr. Otuene enlightened the participants on the structures and stakeholders of the scheme, according to him the Federal Government, Supervising Agencies, Industrial Training Fund, Employers and Students are the major players. He advised the trainees to ensure that they make necessary documentation and participate in the program because it is part of their academic work, and hence will determine their overall performance and scores.

He further made emphasis on the need for students to get attached to areas relevant to their field of study, urging them to be conscious of their environment, and report to the nearest ITF office for relevant supervision.
Reacting to the lecture the DVC, Prof Teddy Adias reiterated the need for the students to be of good conduct in their various placements as they are ambassadors of the University adding that the University will penalize any student who is reported for misconduct by an employer.

The program provided for an interactive session which enabled questions and answers on areas of doubt.

While presenting the closing remarks, the University Librarian Mr. Hudron Kari also thanked the organizers and acknowledged the importance of orienting the trainees, he congratulated the students for their progress so far.

The SIWES Coordinator in FUO, Dr. Ejovi Osioma in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to FUO Management and ITF Officials for making the event a success, he also thanked the University Staff and Students present for participating, while reemphasizing on the need for students to be worthy ambassadors.